New Behavioral Health Resources Available for First Responders

New Behavioral Health Resources Available for First Responders

In a recent national survey of firefighters and emergency
medical services (EMS) personnel, 19 percent reported having had thoughts of
suicide, 27 percent reported having struggled with substance use issues, and 81
percent said they feared being seen as weak or unfit for duty if they asked for
help.

Law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency response are
professions where communication is mission critical—so why aren’t first
responders talking more about their behavioral health?

SAMHSA has developed new resources and materials with
significant input from first responders. We hope you’ll continue reading to learn
more about the following new materials available and share them with colleagues
and friends.

Each of these courses is free and can be accessed online
individually or reviewed and discussed in a group setting to foster dialogue.
Beyond videos, the courses contain interactive features and assessment tools.

New Issue of The Dialogue

This issue highlights the challenges first
responders experience through all phases of disaster response—the visible and
obvious, and the veiled. The authors provide insight into the unique culture of
the first responder community. This awareness is key to providing effective
behavioral health services in a manner that is valuable to and accepted by
first responders.

New Supplemental Research Bulletin

This issue focuses on behavioral health issues experienced
by first responders. It also explores risk and protective factors, as well as
interventions to reduce behavioral health risks and foster resilience.

Contact
the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) team at dtac@samhsa.hhs.gov or 1-800-308-3515 for
more information. Learn more about SAMHSA
DTAC.

The views, opinions, and content expressed in this
publication do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).